Fussell is running across the continental United States. His journey started in Savannah on January 12, 2013, and is going through Macon this week. His route will end in Monterey, Calif., sometime next fall.

The 62-year-old from Talking Rock, Ga. is running to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's research. His father died of the disease in 2000.

Fussell has more than enough inspiration to keep his feet moving. A year after his father passed, doctors explained that Fussell's organs were trying to shut down. They gave him less than a year to live.

"That was in 2001," said Fussell. "That was the strangest feeling I've ever had in my life. I was scared to death."

Twelve years later, Fussell is very much alive. He has trained for his trip by running 100 to 125 miles every week.

As impressive as that is, Fussell certainly has his work cut out for him. More than 3,000 miles span the distance from Macon and Monterey, since he will visit 32 Alzheimer's Association centers along the way.

He expects to have plenty of help in the coming months.

"People have already been offering me homes, they've been donating motel rooms for me. I think I'm going to encounter a lot of wonderful people who want to help me get to Monterey. I really do."